Toilet bowl device

ABSTRACT

To provide a toilet bowl device allowing bubbles to be discharged with ease even in a case where a bowl is supplied with the bubbles. In a toilet bowl device, a control unit executes a pre-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to a bowl via a jet discharge port and a pre-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via a rim discharge port after the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is initiated in a case where bubbles are present on a stored water surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-122920, filed Jun. 28, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a toilet bowl device supplying bubbles to a bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A toilet bowl device is known in the related art. The toilet bowl device is provided with a rim discharge port formed in the upper portion of a bowl and a jet discharge port formed in the bottom portion of the bowl (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this toilet bowl device, a pre-rim washing step of discharging wash water from the rim discharge port is performed first. A jet washing step of discharging washing water from the jet discharge port is executed after the pre-rim washing step is terminated. By the jet washing step being performed after the pre-rim washing step as described above, sufficient washing is possible even at a low water supply pressure.

A toilet bowl device supplying bubbles to a bowl is known apart from the toilet bowl device described above, (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The bubbles supplied to the bowl are mainly to wash the bowl and suppress liquid splashing during male urination in a standing state.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2009-030405

Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2017-048567

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a case where bubbles are supplied to the bowl with respect to the toilet bowl device in which the pre-rim washing step and the jet washing step are sequentially performed, the bubbles may stay in the bowl without being sufficiently discharged.

Embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet bowl device allowing bubbles to be discharged with ease and reliability even in a case where a bowl is supplied with the bubbles.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides a toilet bowl device (such as a toilet bowl device 1 to be described later) including a bowl (such as a bowl 6 to be described later) having a rim discharge port (such as a rim discharge port 8 to be described later) in an upper portion of the bowl and having a jet discharge port (such as a jet discharge port 10 to be described later) in a bottom portion of the bowl, a rim wash water supply device (such as a washing device 3 to be described later) supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port, a jet wash water supply device (such as the washing device 3 to be described later) supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port, a drain trap (such as a drain trap 7 to be described later) provided on a toilet bowl drain path (such as a toilet bowl drain path 13 to be described later) from the bottom portion of the bowl to a drain pipe and determining a height of a stored water surface (such as a stored water surface WL1 to be described later) of wash water collected in the bottom portion of the bowl by performing water sealing on the toilet bowl drain path, and a control unit (such as a control unit 5 to be described later) controlling the rim wash water supply device and the jet wash water supply device. In a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit executes a pre-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port and a pre-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is initiated.

(2) In the toilet bowl device of (1), in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit can supply wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port to an extent that the toilet bowl drain path is torn in the pre-jet washing step for bubbles.

(3) In the toilet bowl device of (1) or (2), in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit can execute the pre-rim washing step for bubbles before the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is terminated.

(4) In the toilet bowl device of any one of (1) to (3), in a case where the control unit performs the control in a standard mode in which washing is performed with bubbleless wash water, the control unit can execute a standard mode pre-rim washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port, a standard mode jet washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port after the standard mode pre-rim washing step is initiated, and a standard mode post-rim washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the standard mode pre-rim washing step is terminated and the standard mode jet washing step is initiated, and the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is longer in time than the standard mode pre-rim washing step.

(5) In the toilet bowl device of any one of (1) to (4), in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit can cause the stored water surface to be coated with bubbles by the post-rim washing step for bubbles being executed after a height of the stored water surface is lowered by the post-jet washing step for bubbles being executed.

(6) In the toilet bowl device of any one of (1) to (5), a post-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port after the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is terminated and the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is initiated and a post-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is terminated and the post-jet washing step for bubbles is initiated are further executed.

According to a toilet bowl device of embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a toilet bowl device allowing bubbles to be discharged with ease and reliability even in a case where a bowl is supplied with the bubbles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a toilet bowl device according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl device according to some embodiments as viewed in the arrow A-A direction in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the standard-mode operation of the toilet bowl device according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation of the toilet bowl device according to some embodiments in a case where bubbles are present on a stored water surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A toilet bowl device 1 according to some embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the toilet bowl device 1. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl device 1 as viewed in the arrow A-A direction in FIG. 1.

The toilet bowl device 1 is provided with a toilet bowl main body 2, a washing device 3, and a control unit 5.

The toilet bowl main body 2 is provided with a bowl 6 receiving filth, a drain trap 7, and a toilet seat (not illustrated) and a toilet lid (not illustrated) opening and closing with respect to the bowl 6. The drain trap 7 is provided from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to a toilet bowl drain path 13 connected to a drain pipe (not illustrated) via a connecting pipe 14. An ascending flow path 13A and a descending flow path 13B constitute the toilet bowl drain path 13. Formed in the upper portion of the bowl 6 are a rim discharge port 8 through which wash water is discharged and a rim flow water path 9 generating a swirling wash water flow along the peripheral edge thereof. A jet discharge port 10 for wash water discharge is formed in the bottom portion of the bowl 6. The drain trap 7 determines the height of a stored water surface WL1 of the wash water collected in the bottom portion of the bowl 6 by performing water sealing on the toilet bowl drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe (not illustrated).

By a user operating a washing switch (not illustrated), the washing device 3 is controlled by the control unit 5 (described later), is operated, and washes the bowl 6. Specifically, the washing device 3 functions as a rim wash water supply device supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 and functions as a jet wash water supply device supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as rim water discharge and jet water discharge). In the standard mode of the washing device 3, the washing device 3 supplies bubbleless wash water. In the bubble mode of the washing device 3, the washing device 3 causes bubbles to be present on the stored water surface in the bowl 6.

Examples of the bubble mode include the followings. Firstly, the bubbles discharged to the bowl 6 may flow into the stored water. Specifically, the examples include a case where the inside of the bowl 6 is washed with bubble-containing water discharged and caused to, for example, swirl in the bowl 6 and a case where bubble-containing water is discharged and bubbles are collected in the stored water (in this case, swirling or the like in the bowl 6 is optional). As for the bubble-containing water, there are cases where bubbles are mixed in the wash water and bubbles are discharged by means of a non-wash water path.

Secondly, bubbles may be generated in the stored water. For example, a drug or the like may be directly supplied into the stored water via the jet discharge port 10 or the like for the bubble generation in the stored water. A state where bubbles are present in the bowl 6 can be formed in this case as well.

In some embodiments, such as the first case described above, the washing device 3 is provided with an ejector (not illustrated) generating bubbles by supplying and mixing the drug and air into and in the wash water. In some embodiments, the washing device 3 requires no ejector, such as in the second case described above. The drug may be any drug capable of generating bubbles. Examples of the drug include ion water and a liquid containing a fragrance, an antibacterial agent, a disinfectant, an antifungal agent, or the like.

The control unit 5 controls the washing device 3. The control of the washing device 3 by the control unit 5 will be described in detail later.

The toilet bowl device 1 is provided with a remote controller (not illustrated) as an operation unit for executing various types of control by the control unit 5. The remote controller is attached to, for example, a wall surface of a toilet room where the toilet bowl device 1 is installed. The remote controller of some embodiments is provided with a bubble mode switch and the like as well as a local washing switch for local washing and (large and small) washing switches for toilet bowl washing.

Examples of the trigger of the bubble mode include the following. Examples of the trigger of the bubble mode in the case of washing of the inside of the bowl 6 by means of bubble-containing water discharge include a user entering the room, a user pressing the bubble mode switch, the toilet seat/toilet lid opening, a user sitting down, a user standing up from the seat, the toilet seat/toilet lid closing, and a user leaving the room.

Examples of the trigger of the bubble mode in the case of bubble collection in the stored water by means of bubble-containing water discharge include a user entering the room, a user pressing the bubble mode switch, the toilet seat/toilet lid opening, and a user sitting down.

Examples of the trigger of the bubble mode in the case of bubble generation in the stored water include a user entering the room, a user pressing the bubble mode switch, the toilet seat/toilet lid opening, and a user sitting down.

Next, the operation of the toilet bowl device 1 by the control unit 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the standard-mode operation of the toilet bowl device 1 according to some embodiments. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation of the toilet bowl device 1 according to some embodiments in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface (specifically, after the operation of the bubble mode described above is executed).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 5 executes a standard mode pre-rim washing step, a standard mode jet washing step, and a standard mode post-rim washing step in a case where the control unit 5 performs control processing in the standard mode in which washing is performed by means of bubbleless wash water.

In Step S100, the control unit 5 executes the standard mode pre-rim washing step. Specifically, in this step, wash water is supplied to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8. Then, the processing proceeds to Step S110.

In Step S110, the control unit 5 executes the standard mode jet washing step. Specifically, in this step, wash water is supplied to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10 after the standard mode pre-rim washing step is initiated. Then, the processing proceeds to Step S110.

In Step S120, the control unit 5 executes the standard mode post-rim washing step. Specifically, in this step, wash water is supplied to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the standard mode pre-rim washing step is terminated and the standard mode jet washing step is initiated. This processing is terminated as a result.

Usually in this standard mode, the same processing time is set for the standard mode jet washing step and the standard mode post-rim washing step and the processing time for the standard mode pre-rim washing step is set to half of the processing time.

In a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit 5 executes a pre-jet washing step for bubbles, a pre-rim washing step for bubbles, a post-jet washing step for bubbles, and a post-rim washing step for bubbles as illustrated in FIG. 4. The execution of the post-rim washing step for bubbles is optional.

In Step S200, the control unit 5 executes the pre-jet washing step for bubbles. Specifically, in this step, wash water is supplied toward the toilet bowl drain path 13 or the drain trap 7 via the jet discharge port 10. In the pre-jet washing step for bubbles, it is preferable to discharge the wash water from the jet discharge port 10 to the extent that the toilet bowl drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe is torn. Specifically, it is preferable to supply the wash water via the jet discharge port 10 until the upper surface of the bubbles on the stored water surface is disposed below a sealing water line SWL illustrated in FIG. 2. As a result, discharge of the bubbles in the bowl 6, the filth on the bubbles, toilet paper, and the like is promoted. Then, the processing proceeds to Step S210.

In Step S210, the control unit 5 executes the pre-rim washing step for bubbles. Specifically, in this step, wash water is supplied to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is initiated. The processing time is longer in this step than in the standard mode pre-rim washing step. Preferably, the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is performed before the pre jet washing step for bubbles is terminated.

In this manner, the rim water discharge is performed in the middle of the jet water discharge, and thus bubbles can be discharged to the toilet bowl drain path 13 by means of the jet water discharge while the bubbles on the wall surface of the bowl 6 are dropped from above. Possible as a result is an efficient flow of the bubbles on the wall surface of the bowl 6. Once only the jet water discharge is performed first, bubbles adhere to and remain on the wall surface of the bowl 6. An advance flow of the rim water discharge usually causes the stored water surface to rise and bubbles to float. Then, the bubbles remain in the bowl 6 even after a subsequent jet water discharge flow. In some embodiments, the rim water discharge is performed with the stored water lowered after bubbles are discharged to the toilet bowl drain path 13 by means of the jet water discharge, and thus a reliable flow of the bubbles on the wall surface of the bowl 6 can be achieved. Then, the processing proceeds to Step S220.

In Step S220, the control unit 5 executes the post-jet washing step for bubbles. Specifically, in this step, wash water is supplied to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10 after the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is terminated and the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is initiated. As a result, the bubbles remaining in the bowl 6 are reliably discharged. Then, the processing proceeds to Step S230.

In Step S230, the control unit 5 executes the post-rim washing step for bubbles. Specifically, in this step, wash water is supplied to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is terminated and the post-jet washing step for bubbles is initiated. This processing is terminated as a result.

In the processing of this operation in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the processing time of the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is set to 1.5 to 2.0 seconds or so, the processing time of the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is set to 4.0 seconds or so, the processing time of the post-jet washing step for bubbles is set to 2.2 seconds or so, and the processing time of the post-rim washing step for bubbles is set to 4.0 seconds or so. The processing time of the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is set to be longer than the processing time of the standard mode pre-rim washing step. For example, the processing time of the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is set to twice the processing time of the standard mode pre-rim washing step. As a result, the inside of the bowl 6 is sufficiently washed, the toilet bowl drain path 13 torn as a result of the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is quickly covered with water, and sealing water is obtained.

Next, the operation in the bubble mode of the toilet bowl device 1 will be described in more detail.

After a user operates the washing switch (in a case where the bubble mode is selected by the bubble mode switch), the control unit 5 controls the washing device 3 and executes the pre jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10. By the pre-jet washing step for bubbles being performed, the stored water surface WL1 in the bowl 6 is disturbed. As a result, the bubbles covering the stored water surface WL1 and the toilet paper on the bubbles become wet and discharge is promoted. Odor return from the drain pipe does not occur in a case where the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is executed such that the water sealing of the toilet bowl drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe is maintained. The bubbles covering the stored water surface WL1 are reliably discharged from the bowl 6 in a case where the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is executed such that the toilet bowl drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe is torn.

After the initiation of the pre-jet washing step for bubbles, the control unit 5 controls the washing device 3 and executes the pre-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8. By the pre-rim washing step for bubbles being executed, the stored water surface WL1 in the bowl 6 is raised to the original height. As a result, the next post-jet washing step for bubbles can be executed. The bubbles adhering to the wall surface of the bowl 6 can be reliably dropped in a case where the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is executed before the termination of the pre-jet washing step for bubbles. In this case, odor return from the drain pipe does not occur even in the event of tearing of the toilet bowl drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe (not illustrated).

After the initiation of the pre-rim washing step for bubbles, the control unit 5 controls the washing device 3 and executes the post-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10. By the post-jet washing step for bubbles being executed, the excrement and the toilet paper in the bowl 6 are reliably discharged from the bowl 6. In addition, the stored water surface WL1 in the bowl 6 descends by the post-jet washing step for bubbles being executed.

After the initiation of the post-jet washing step for bubbles, the control unit 5 controls the washing device 3 and executes the post-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8. The stored water surface WL1 in the bowl 6 is coated with bubbles by the post-rim washing step for bubbles being executed. The wash water is supplied such that the stored water surface WL1 is lower in the case of the operation in the bubble mode than in the case of the operation in the standard mode. As a result, the stored water surface WL1 at the next cleaning is low, and thus bubble and toilet paper discharge is promoted.

The toilet bowl device 1 described above is provided with the bowl 6 having the rim discharge port 8 in the upper portion of the bowl 6 and having the jet discharge port 10 in the bottom portion of the bowl 6, the washing device 3 supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 and supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10, the drain trap 7 provided on the toilet bowl drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe (not illustrated) and determining the height of the stored water surface WL1 of the wash water collected in the bottom portion of the bowl 6 by performing water sealing on the toilet bowl drain path 13, and the control unit 5 controlling the washing device 3.

The toilet bowl device 1 according to some embodiments described in detail above has the following effects. In a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit 5 in the toilet bowl device 1 according to the some embodiments executes the pre-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10, the pre-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the initiation of the pre-jet washing step for bubbles, the post-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10 after the termination of the pre-jet washing step for bubbles and the initiation of the pre-rim washing step for bubbles, and the post-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the termination of the pre-rim washing step for bubbles and the initiation of the post-jet washing step for bubbles. As a result, bubbles can be discharged with ease and reliability even in a case where the bowl 6 is supplied with the bubbles. As a result, the filth, the toilet paper, or the like that is on the bubbles can be discharged with ease and reliability.

In a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit 5 executes the pre jet washing step for bubbles. As a result, the toilet bowl drain path from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe is torn and the bubbles covering the stored water surface WL1 can be discharged from the bowl 6 with more ease and reliability.

In a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit 5 executes the pre-rim washing step for bubbles before the termination of the pre-jet washing step for bubbles. As a result, the bubbles adhering to the wall surface of the bowl 6 can be reliably dropped and the bubbles covering the stored water surface WL1 can be discharged from the bowl 6 with more ease and reliability. Odor return from the drain pipe does not occur even in the event of tearing of the toilet bowl drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe. In other words, odor return can be prevented.

In a case where the control unit 5 performs control in the standard mode in which washing is performed by means of bubbleless wash water, the control unit 5 executes the standard mode pre-rim washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8, the standard mode jet washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10 after the initiation of the standard mode pre-rim washing step, and the standard mode post-rim washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the termination of the standard mode pre-rim washing step and the initiation of the standard mode jet washing step. The processing time of the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is set to be longer than the processing time of the standard mode pre-rim washing step. As a result, the stored water surface WL1 in the bowl 6 is reliably returned to the original height and the next post-jet washing step for bubbles can be reliably executed.

Although some embodiments of the toilet bowl device 1 of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be appropriately changed.

In some embodiments, the pre-jet washing step for bubbles, the pre-rim washing step for bubbles, the post-jet washing step for bubbles, and the post-rim washing step for bubbles are sequentially executed in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface. In some embodiments, a rim washing step may be further executed prior to the pre-jet washing step for bubbles. In other words, the pre-rim washing step for bubbles, the pre-jet washing step for bubbles, a mid-rim washing step for bubbles, the post-jet washing step for bubbles, and the post-rim washing step for bubbles may be sequentially executed. In this case, the pre-rim washing for bubbles may continue to flow during the pre jet washing for bubbles. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toilet bowl device comprising: a bowl having a rim discharge port in an upper portion of the bowl and having a jet discharge port in a bottom portion of the bowl; a rim wash water supply device supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port; a jet wash water supply device supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port; a drain trap provided on a toilet bowl drain path from the bottom portion of the bowl to a drain pipe and determining a height of a stored water surface of wash water collected in the bottom portion of the bowl by performing water sealing on the toilet bowl drain path; and a control unit controlling the rim wash water supply device and the jet wash water supply device, wherein, in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit executes a pre jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port and a pre-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is initiated.
 2. The toilet bowl device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit supplies wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port to an extent that the toilet bowl drain path is torn in the pre-jet washing step for bubbles.
 3. The toilet bowl device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit executes the pre-rim washing step for bubbles before the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is terminated.
 4. The toilet bowl device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the control unit performs the control in a standard mode in which washing is performed with bubbleless wash water, the control unit executes a standard mode pre-rim washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port, a standard mode jet washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port after the standard mode pre-rim washing step is initiated, and a standard mode post-rim washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the standard mode pre-rim washing step is terminated and the standard mode jet washing step is initiated, and the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is longer in time than the standard mode pre-rim washing step.
 5. The toilet bowl device according to claim 1, wherein a post-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port after the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is terminated and the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is initiated and a post-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is terminated and the post-jet washing step for bubbles is initiated are further executed.
 6. The toilet bowl device according to claim 5, wherein, in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit causes the stored water surface to be coated with bubbles by the post-rim washing step for bubbles being executed after a height of the stored water surface is lowered by the post-jet washing step for bubbles being executed. 